CPUC's Ratepayer Advocates Back SD Hearing on SDGE Fire Scam

The Division of Ratepayer Advocates, a group within the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) representing the interests of consumers, not shareholders, has come out in favor of a public meeting in San Diego at which San Diego Gas & Electric officials would be forced to explain why they want to shift the financial burden of fire insurance to ratepayers instead of shareholders. San Diego's Mussey Grade Alliance suggested such a public forum, but SDG&E says it doesn't want to do it at this time. The Division of Ratepayer Advocates was joined by two activist groups, the Utility Reform Network (TURN) and the Center for Accessible Technology, in the official request for a public meeting. In its filings, the groups said that under the SDG&E proposal, "San Diego ratepayers may be required to pay 95% of the costs of a fire that is caused by utility negligence or even recklessness." TURN is a San Francisco group that battles utilities. Its San Diego counterpart, Utility Consumers' Action Network (UCAN) did not join in the filing.

Comments

This is the first step in the right direction. Even if hearings are held on the matter, it doesn't mean the proposal by SDGE will be denied. But, with no hearings, it was a slam dunk for them. Now it might even e reported in the local media, such as the Manchester Propaganda Mill.

Trouble is, Manchester wants his newspaper to be a cheerleader for local businesses. Will SDGE's attempt to shift this insurance burden to ratepayers --and the fact that parent Sempra has already told shareholders that it's a done deal -- be reported? Will mainstream media call for public meetings on this outrage? We'll see. Best, Don Bauder